The strike comes amid growing US attacks across the nation’s south and east, and with the Yemeni military launching a massive military offensive, reportedly under US direction, against the Abyan Province, another Ansar al-Sharia stronghold.

Ansar al-Sharia is reportedly linked to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Even on its own, the group seems to be able to tackle the Yemeni military on a more or less equal footing, and the ongoing battle seems far from over, despite the Hadi regime’s confidence.